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Anonymous
said...

This is not the first time when the government trys to spy on Mahibere Kidusan. Security agents of the existing regime was spying it for years and years. But the only thing they understood was, it was really religious organization. But recently, they are panicking. becuase Mahibere Kidusan is one of the most organized association having an active members from 80,000 upto 100,000. Its supporters are also in hundred thousands. Besides,one can find the memebers of this organization everywhere in the world: from Silcon Valley California to Florida space center. The government is afarid , one day this huge manpower may claim something other.But Abay never understood that ,MK will never change its direction. On the other hand extemist muslims and other enemies of the church are now ,very clear, they canot dismantle the Ethiopian Orthodox church and steal sheeps unless they collapse Mahibere kidusan.On many web sites these denominations and extemist are expressing their deep hatered for Mahibere Kidusan.It seems that there is an organized plot to collapse Mahibere Kidusan. Both from with in and out. from out side the extrimist and the protestant camp. From inside the new synod supporters and the agents of protestantism who have disgused themselves.But they all didnt understand that , the founder of this association, Saint Marry is at the back of MK and will never let Mk down. The force and power at the back of Mahibere Kidusan is by far stronger than the force at the back of them. Let them throw what they have,but lie can never win truth.The more pressure for Mahibere Kidusan, the more strong it will be.

Here is the address Patriarch Abuna Paulos of the Ethiopian Tewahedo Orthodox Church gave today at the Third General Congregation of the Second Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. Benedict XVI invited the patriarch as a special guest to address the assembly.

* * *

In the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit One God, Amen!

Dear participants of this great congress of Cardinals and Bishops.

I feel honored and privileged to be invited to this grand Synod and deliver a brief speech about Africa and Churches in this continent. I am especially grateful to His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, who wanted me among you today and who personally witnessed to me his love for Africa and his respect for the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, during our last fraternal meeting here in Rome last June.

Africa is the second largest continent. It is home to all kinds of people with a great variety of colors who live in harmony and equality.

This spectrum of colors is a gift from God to Africa and it adds beauty to the continent. It is furthermore the proof that Africa is a continent where all kinds of people live in equality regardless of difference in color and race. Anthropologists, philosophers, and academicians confirmed that Africa in general and Ethiopia in particular is indeed the cradle of mankind. And the Holy Bible confirms this profound conviction. History, according to the Ethiopian calendar starts from Adam and Noah. That is to say that for the Ethiopians the beginning of mankind, our present and our future is marked today and forever by God and His salvation.

Africa, whose people's ancient dignity is written in the stones of the Axum obelisk, Egyptian pyramids, of monuments as well as manuscripts, was not only a source of civilization. According to the Holy Bible, Africa was also a refuge for people who were hit by hunger: this is the case of the Jews at the time of Jacob when they spent seven years in Egypt.

The Holy Bible states that the Jews and the prophet Jeremiah who suffered a lot from the aggression of the Babylonians were saved in Ethiopia and Egypt. People who were living in Middle Eastern parts of the world had been relieved from their hunger in Ethiopia and Egypt.

Jesus Christ Himself and Saint Mary were welcomed in Egypt, while fleeing the cruel threat of Herod. It is clear that Africans do care for humanity!

Africa remains a religious continent whose people have believed in the Almighty God for centuries. Queen Sheba had taught her compatriots about the Old Testament which she learnt from Israel. Since then, The Ark of the Covenant is in Ethiopia, in the city of Axum.

The son of queen Sheba, Manlike I, had followed her example and managed to bring the Ark of the Covenant of Moses to Africa, Ethiopia.

The history of the Ethiopian eunuch and the strong, well-organized Law of Moses, and the religious practices and cultures in depth that exist in Ethiopia indicate that the Law of Moses used to be practiced in Ethiopia better than that of in Israel. Still this can be witnessed by studying culture and living style of Ethiopians.

It is in Alexandria, Egypt, where the Holy Bible was translated into non-Hebrew languages. These African translations are known as the "Translation of the Seventy Scholars" ('Sebeka Likawunt').

Holy Scripture indicates that like the ancient times in the Old Testament, Africans have the custom of worshiping by the law of conscience in the New Testament period.

The then Ethiopian king of kings, emperor Bazen, was one of the kings who went to Bethlehem to worship the child Jesus.

The Gospel tells us that it was an African, a man from Libya, named Simon of Cyrene took upon himself the Cross of Jesus as He was going to Golgotha.

And behold, an Ethiopian eunuch had come to Jerusalem in 34 AD to worship God in accordance with the Law of Moses. By the order of the Holy Spirit, the eunuch was baptized by Philip. Upon his return to Africa, the eunuch preached Christianity to his nation. Then Ethiopia became the second nation after Israel to believe in Christ; and the Ethiopian Church became the first Church in Africa.

Great stories of faith have marked the first centuries of Christianity in Africa because Africans have always lived a profound charity and a great devotion in the New Testament.

Africa is the region from where celebrated scholars and religious fathers, such as St. Augustinos, St. Tertulianos, St. Siprianos as well as St. Athnasius and St. Kerlos come from. These fathers are celebrated both in the continent and world wide.

St. Yared who has composed beautiful Church hymns and whom the world recognizes for his outstanding creativity, was also originally from Africa. St. Yared is a son of Ethiopia. St. Yared's hymns are among the wonders of the world for which Ethiopia is known to the world. The deeds of all these Fathers characterize Africa.

According to scholars it is in Africa that the first Canon of the Holy Bible was defined. History also reminds us of the martyrdom of Christians in North Africa when, their kind, a non-believer, raised the sword against them in the effort of completely destroy Christianity. At the same time Christians who were mistreated and persecuted in different parts of the world came to Africa, especially to Ethiopia and have lived in peace in the region.

Devoted Ethiopians have also demonstrated their outstanding hospitality to the nine Saints and other tens of thousands of Christians who were persecuted from Eastern Europe and came to Africa in groups. The residences and the tombs of those persecuted Christians have been kept as sacred shrines in various parts of Ethiopia.

In Africa and in Ethiopia we have pieces of the Holy Cross. The right part of the Cross has been kept in Ethiopia, in a place called Goshen Mountain.

The Cross of Christ was carried also by the Christians of Africa. I am thinking about my Church that recently suffered a hard persecution during the communist dictatorship, with many new martyrs among whom the Patriarch Theophilos, and before him, Abuna Petros, during the colonial period. I myself, then a bishop, spent long years in jail before being exiled. When I became Patriarch, after the end of communism, there was much to be rebuilt. This has been our work, through the help of God, the prayer of our monks and the generosity of the faithful.

Africa is a potentially wealthy continent, with fertile soil, natural resources, and a variety of plants and animal species. Africa has a suitable climate and possesses several precious minerals. For it has been a continent with many untapped natural resources, many have still their eyes on it. It is also undeniable that the civilization gains in other parts of the world is the result of labor and resource from Africa.

Africans have done such blessed works for the world. What has the world done for them?

Africa had been badly colonized and its resources have been exploited. The rich nations who developed exploiting African resources remember Africa only when they need something from it. They haven't supported the continent in its struggle for the development at all.

Each and every nation of the continent have various problems and challenges. The problem could be social, political, economic, as well as spiritual.

While the living standard of the African peoples is lower than that of the rest of the world, there are some reasons why such poor living standards get worse and expand all over the continent. The lack of access to education is the major problem in which the youth as a result fail to get enough education. No country and people do achieve development and prosperity without education and knowledge.

As we all are well aware, the HIV/AIDS pandemic could not be averted despite relentless efforts. However, we should encourage all those experiences that show us how to heal and resist evil, to give hope by creating synergy and by providing to Africa the same treatments Europe itself has received. At the same time other kinds of diseases are currently threatening badly. We call the world to work in harmony in this regard. The Council of All African Churches is exerting efforts to curb the problems being occurred in the continent especially the chaos which extremists are creating. Religious leaders of Christianity and the faithful in general should join hands in this endeavor.

Africa is enchained by heavy global debts that both the current generation nor the future ones can bear.

In what way should we condemn the civil war that is usually fought by child soldiers who are also the victims of these tragic violent acts. How to condemn the overtly and covertly displacement and migration of people?

The International Human Rights Law clearly states that any person under the age of 18 cannot be a member of any fighting group because he is a 'child'. However, some countries are currently forcing children under 18 into military service. This is a clear violation of human rights. Therefore, it is mandatory for leaders of African Churches to cry out as one voice that these behaviors have to stop at once.

Therefore, I would like to use the floor to urge all religious leaders to work for peace and protect the natural resources God gave us, and defend the life and innocence of children.

In a significant number of African countries, basic necessities such as food and potable water and shelter couldn't be realized. Generally speaking, most Africans live in a situation where there is a shortage of most of the basic human necessities and services. Though Africa declared its freedom from colonialism long ago, there are still many circumstances which make it dependent on the rich countries. The enormous debt, the exploitation of its natural resources by few, the traditional agricultural practice and unsatisfactory introduction of modern agricultural systems, the dependency of its people on rain which impacted negatively in ensuring food security, migration and brain drain of its people greatly affecting the continent.

I am hopeful that as their Graces African cardinals and bishops had discussed this issue previously, today this great synod would discuss the issue and propose possible solutions.

I believe that we, religious leaders and Heads of Churches, have a very unique task and responsibility: to acknowledge and sustain, when we deem it necessary, the suggestions that come from the people, as, on the contrary, to reject them when they contradict the respect and love for Man, that has its roots in the Gospel.

Christians are expected to be messengers of change in bringing justice, peace, reconciliation and development. It is what I saw pursued with determination and humility by the Community of Sant'Egidio in all of Africa: fruits of peace and healing are possible, and they undermine all forms of violence, with the strength and the Christian intelligence of love. African religious leaders not only have to worry about the social works but also answer to the great spiritual needs of the women and men of Africa.

Apostleship and social works cannot be treated separately. Social work is the meaning of apostleship. Every word has to be translated in practice. Hence, after every word and promise, practical actions need to follow. Religious fathers are also expected to enhance the awareness of the public to honor human right, peace and justice. Society needs the teachings of their religious fathers in a bid to help them solve their problems in unity and to free themselves from being the target of a problem.

Thus leaders of African Churches, with the power of the Almighty God and the Holy Spirit, need to voice the language of the Church. It is also necessary to realize when, how and to whom to speak. This should be done for the safety of the Churches.

I am really very happy to participate to this Synod of the Catholic Church on Africa. I am an African. My Church is the oldest of Africa: a Church of Martyrs, Saints and monks. I carry my support as a friend and a brother to this endeavor of the Catholic Church for Africa. I thank His Holiness for the invitation and I wish to him a long life and a fruitful ministry.

Let us speak of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the heart of the Africans and Jesus will return to Africa, as he did when he was a child together with the Virgin Mary. And peace, mercy and justice will come together with Jesus!

I don't understand why MK is complaining? It is very simple and clear what you do. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church saying is church administration and politics is not your business, so stop trying to interfere in the Church administration. Simple and clear. Why you guys stop doing that and get peace, let them doing their job. Who are you? Non of your business. Just if you want be the EOTC christian, then be. Why you are trying create a maze in our church? The Patriotic of Ethiopian church and "ye-Senbet Temhert bete maderaja memriya" is your and our leaders. Don't bother them, let them do their job:: If you have a brain and ear please listen to this massage of me. It will bring peace in our church, if you be quit and Tera memenan. Don't be "Kememheru Dekemezmuru" Arfachehu Tekemetu:: Who are you?Remember before you came in the church business? It was peace and Love in All the Papasat, Kesawest, Sunday schools, and memenan. Since you came in the church business; look what happen. So please let as warship God in peace, and live in love with all EOTC Christians.

Response to Haymanot, Haymanot, i first invite u to read the speech of Abap Paulos : the speech he gave on thrird general congregation .I especially invite u to read paragraph 38.It is posted on this blog . It say like this

"i am really happy to participate to this Synod of the Catholic Church on Africa. ... I carry my support as a friend and a brother to this endeavor of the Catholic Church for Africa. I thank His Holiness for the invitation and I wish to him a long life and a fruitful ministr"

He is happy and happy to support Catholic in Africa, dont forget also Ethiopia is in Africa. This was what The late scholar Aleka Ayalew has exactly said and was opposing till his death .Aba Paulos ( He ) personally is willing to support Catholic: a church where his popos gave their golden cross when the Italian Army invaded Ethiopia and was bombing Ethiopian monasteries with internationally prohibited napal gases. Remeber history. The Catholics pops have given their cross to The faschist Mussoloni when he invaded Ethiopia. They were also chanting with bliss when Musoloni jets bomb Ethiopian churches hoping that they will by force make Ethiopia Catholic.

Haymanot, if u want to truely know when the problem in our church started, it is when "fathers "who support these catholics and others held the power.

If u want to know the problem of the present, dig back in the past. Aleka Ayalew Tamiru was not mahibere kidusan. Abune Selama was not Mahibere Kidusan, Even the recent popsand arcbishops who were accusing Aba Paulos were not mahibere Kidusan. They all are fathers of the church requesting Aba paulos to stop his un orthodox way . Catholic is another and Tewahido is another. he can by no means intermarry these religions and go ahead. If u have mind to critically think,u can get the time when our church problem started.

Let me add some more Haymanot, if u have ears to listen. Aba Paulos again on his speech which u can find it on this blog said like this

"today this great synod would discuss the issue and propose possible solutions"

The synod which our fathers like Dioskorious denounced is a great Synod for Aba Paulos. REad the speech he delivered. This is the real problem. Our church for the last 1600 years have never listened to such kind of news , but from aba paulos, new message is coming.

This was exactly what Aleka Ayalew said before many years . to help u rememeber, i also hereby attached his message

Though Aleka Ayalew is dead, he is alive in the hearts of many million Tewahido Christains. He has followed his fathers way. He fought for truh .

He was the firts man who seriously was opposing Paulos plot to make Ethiopian church catholic. Here today time shown us the reality.

Paulos publicly admitted that he is happy to see Catholics booming in Africa and he perosnally will help. Please read the specch he gave. it is found on this web page.This was exactly what Aleka Ayalew said.

Paulos,support Ethiopian Orthodox Church, not Catholic. The wolf inside u is being revelaed when uunknowingly remove ur mask of sheep skin.please follow this link and read what Aleka Aayalew said in 1985

1. mahibere kiduan didn't have any problems as such before the new Aba sereke was assigned.

2. They didn't recieve any written complain from the 'senbet timhirt bet maderaja'. 3. It is a total blunt Negativity from Aba sereke's side. 4. who called government officials? for sure Aba sereke is one of them. Think about it , how can MK call government officials so that they can witness when aba sereke blame them for everything and give no chance to speak about it. 'yemaymesil neger........'

5. I admire how the MK is handling the situation.

6. I think the solution is to assign a new 'halafi' in place of aba sereke. the sinodos should assign a new 'halafi' that will not use the government as a warning 'dula'.

Wasse asked ... 'Is it right that our Patriarch ignores the genocide against Ethiopia and praises the leader of the Vatican?'

I say HELL NO ! it is NOT right! that is what this backdoor 'diplomacy' is all about:- nullify all the effort of concerned citizens who are trying to hold the Vatican accountable for all the wrongs it committed against our country and our church. All the rain of adjectives poured by our Patriarch in praise of his Holiness [Hollowness] Pope Benedict is a slap in the face to those who stood firm against evil and sacrificed their life saying NO to invasion and faced mass murder by a chemical gas - the first to be used against an 'enemy' in a sort of conventional war - the war waged by the colonial Italian troops backed and blessed by the the then Pope of the Catholic church against a poor but courageous back nation - Ethiopia.

To the "anony..." (dear "ewnetu" or his cliques...) who tried to defame Dn Daniel Kibret,

We all know you made up this silly story. But do you have to paste it so many times and on every article? Are you so desperatelly seeking attention ? Because no one will believe you. "Meqedes" as a deaqon is not "Rocket science". Anyone who knows "Sir'ate qidassie" can easily do it with some guidance. But you can never know that b/c you are at your "adarash". So, please grow up and comment on some grownup stuff or just shut up. Sad, just sad.

And to all who are too a chicken to leave a name behind (hide behind "Anonymous"), grow a back bone and leave a name so that anyone can comment to your name.

I shall pray hard so that the LORD shall utterly destroy the tongues of spoiled people; they have made their heart the throne of Diablo’s. How do we know these kentu people? I’m not telling you who they are. I leave the judgment to the readers of this blog.

Their idle word, according to Jesus Christ, reveals them who they are. Please pay attention to the below versus about stupid, and idle people. They thought they learned from Geta, yet they don’t even know Who He is. If they know Him (Geta) they will be careful before they speak what Satan orders them to do. In my opinion they are only pipes. They just let it go without little thinking. That is because they don’t posses their minds. It has already been owned by devil; Poor people. They are nothing rather than living machines who (it) speak without thinking or judgment because they are working only by Satan remote control. How do we know? Very easy.

Symptoms:

1.O generation of vipers, how can you, being evil, speaks good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

2. Good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.

Result:

1.But I say to you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment.

The name Mahibere Kidusan is given to all Tewahedo Believers who stand the truth of God. They are protecting the folks from being attached by wolves while Mahibre Sayitan (MS) is given to people like Tehadiso and protestants that want to take sheeps from their true way to God.

From Now on ward use, Mahibre Seytan for Tehadiso and their fathers who always believe to satisfy God by defaming their mother Church.

The name Mahibere Kidusan is given to all Tewahedo Believers who stand the truth of God. They are protecting the folks from being attached by wolves while Mahibre Sayitan (MS) is given to people like Tehadiso and protestants that want to steal sheeps from their true way of God.

From Now on ward use, Mahibre Seytan for Tehadiso and their fathers who always believe to satisfy God by defaming their mother Church.

Many blessings to Girum, who logically protested the idea of an Anonymous write who tried to criticise Dn Daniel Kibret.

Actually we shouldn't as such fight for individual criticisims. Our main concern should rest on the logic of saving mother church.

The basics of our christianity and the strength of our faith. Silly issues won't save the church. Niether does answers for silly comments.

We have a really big enemy called SATAN. Lets all have the weapon to fight it - fasting, prayer and goodwill.

God will help us all.As far as i know Dn Daniel Kibret is a very gifted and blessed preacher. and everybody should know that DIKUNA doesn't necessarily invite ability to serve in Kidase (it would have been great if the could, though).